How to get there.
Don’t be alarmed!
The complexity of details below are to cater for any contingency.
It is actually easy to reach Healesville by bus from the airport or Melbourne city, with a couple of simple changes en route.
Overview of conference schedule
- Main Venue:: Healesville Sanctuary
- Main accommodation: Sanctuary House (easy walk to venue)
- Welcome function Tuesday 27 October, Afternoon Healesville Sanctuary
- Main conference proceedings – Healesville Sanctuary Wed 28 – Friday 30 October
- Half-day excursion and conference dinner: Moonlit Sanctuary, Thursday 29 October- delegates will be returned to accommodation in Healesville
- For details of the half-price optional wildlife cruise before or after the conference, contact the provider for details of booking and how to get there.
Getting to Healesville
Many people will be travelling to Healesville from Melbourne Airport. There are three ways to get to Healesville from Melbourne Airport. Travel by public transport (Kybus/train/bus), catch a taxi, Uber, or other ride-share, or hire a rental car. https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/getting-here/
Melbourne Airport features a single, connected terminal precinct. Qantas Domestic operates at Terminal 1 (T1), Virgin Airlines from Terminal 2 (T2) and JetStar and regional airlines from Terminal 4 (T4). International passengers arrive at Terminal 2 (T2).
Public Transport
Melbourne Airport to Healesville Sanctuary.
The essentials:
- A dedicated bus, the Skybus, travels from Melbourne Airport (near the baggage claim at each terminal) to Southern Cross Station every ten minutes, and the journey takes around 20 – 30 minutes.
- From here, delegates can catch a train to Lilydale, then a bus to Healesville, with a stop close to both Sanctuary House and the Sanctuary.
- Skybus tickets are separate from the Melbourne train and bus network. Skybus tickets can be bought online beforehand, or you can buy a ticket at the ticket box. See https://skybus-australia.airporttransfertickets.com/
- For all train, bus and tram journeys, you will need to buy a MYKI ticket. You can buy a MYKI card at Southern Cross Station on the mezzanine level above platform 10, Lilydale line.
| Travel step | Location- | Cost | Duration | Llnks |
| Skybus to Southern Cross Rail Station | Departs outside Baggage Collection at Terminals 1, 3 and 4, Melbourne Airport | Melbourne Airport map: https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/map Skybus https://skybus-australia.airporttransfertickets.com/ | ||
| Lilydale Line Train – Travel to end of line- Lilydale | Departs Platform 10, Southern Cross Station, | Southern Cross Station map and information Lilydale timetable Melbourne Public Transport Journey Planner | ||
| Bus 685 to Healesville | Departs Platform Bay E, Lilydale Station | Link to bus route and time table | ||
The Skybus picks up passengers at the Skybus terminus outside the baggage claim at each Terminal, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The first four maps below show the locations of the Skybus terminus in relation to each of Terminal 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The next map is of Southern Cross Station showing how to get to the Lilydale train. Yo
The following map shows Lilydale Station and the bus stop to Healesville Sanctuary and the final maps show the bus route, including accommodation on or near the bus route.
Lilydale Station showing Bus Stop at Bay E, Lilydale Station Bus Interchange Bay E for Bus 685 to Healesville Sanctuary
Step-by-step directions to the bus stop [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Arrive on the platform: Head toward the front of your train.
- Exit the station: Walk down the platform and exit the station onto Station Street.
- Turn left: Walk a short distance along Station Street.
- Turn right: Turn right onto West William Street.
- Arrive at the bus bay: The McKenzie bus stop (Lilydale Station/West William St) will be directly outside the station in the bus interchange bay. [1, 2, 3]
For the most up-to-date schedule details or to double-check departure bays, it is recommended to plan your trip via the Public Transport Victoria Journey Planner or check with McKenzie’s Tourist Services.
Bus 685 Route to Healesville Station showing some accommodation options en route (See Accommodation page for full options) :contact the accommodationodation before booking o ensure there’s a bus stop nearby alongthebusroute.
https://www.mckenzies.com.au/copy-of-scheduled-routes#Busroute685 Includes timetable and map bus route
Bus Route 685 Lilydale to Healesville- Explanatory text to Map 10
From bus entering Healesville:
- Entering Town: The bus enters Healesville from Yarra Glen along Healesville-Yarra Glen Road.
- Main Street Corridor: It then turns onto Maroondah Highway (Main Street), passing through the heavy retail and dining hub.
- To the Terminus: It continues past the town centre before turning down Don Road to terminate at Healesville Sanctuary. [References 1, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Proximity Analysis: Bus Route vs. Accommodation
- Directly on the Route:
- Yarra Gables Motel (55 Maroondah Hwy) and Healesville Motor Inn (45 Maroondah Hwy) sit right where the bus transitions into the main township.
- The Healesville Hotel, Healesville Grand Hotel, and The Loft on Main Street are perfectly positioned in the town centre, right by the central Maroondah Hwy / Green St bus stop. [Ref 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11]
- Slightly Off-Route:
- BIG4 Yarra Valley Holiday Park sits further south down Don Road. While Route 685 turns down Don Road towards the Sanctuary, you will need to walk or arrange a brief transfer depending on the specific stop.
- RACV Healesville Country Club sits north of the centre on Healesville-Kinglake Road. Only select weekday Route 685 services make a specific deviation out this way, otherwise a quick local taxi from the town centre is required. [Ref 1, 4, 12]
References:
[1] https://transport.vic.gov.au
[3] https://www.mckenzies.com.au
[4] https://www.mckenzies.com.au
[6] https://www.mckenzies.com.au
[8] https://healesvillegrandhotel.com.au
[9] https://www.visitvictoria.com
[10] https://healesville-motor-inn-45-maroondah-hwy.wheree.com
[11] https://www.healesvillehotel.com
[12] https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au
For an in-depth exploration of bus transport in Victoria see: https://busbot.com.au/article/explore-victoria-s-regional-bus-routes-your-ultimate-guide-mm823awm